Tom_Slick:I think licensing tattoo artists is a good idea, outside of that STFU

I can't see any argument against making sure that there are health codes and safety laws that tattoo artists, piercers, and those who do dermal implants and scarification must abide by. But beyond that, consenting adults should be able to do what they wish with their own bodies.

This seems to be a recurring theme with these lawmakers: "how can we exert control over what people do with, and to, their own bodies?" Whether it's scarification, bedroom activities, or whatever else.... why do they care so much? How is this even slightly a pressing public issue?

I have to admit, I would probably support a ban on intrauterine tattooing procedures. A fetus is simply way too young to make an informed decision whether or not to have "ALANIS4EVAR" tramp stamped above its hiney.

serpent_sky:I can't see any argument against making sure that there are health codes and safety laws that tattoo artists, piercers, and those who do dermal implants and scarification must abide by.

No the health codes aren't enough the artist themselves needs to be licensed just like barbers and stylists. To get a license the artist must prove they have a complete understanding of the health codes and safety rules.

serpent_sky:Tom_Slick: I think licensing tattoo artists is a good idea, outside of that STFU

I can't see any argument against making sure that there are health codes and safety laws that tattoo artists, piercers, and those who do dermal implants and scarification must abide by. But beyond that, consenting adults should be able to do what they wish with their own bodies.

This seems to be a recurring theme with these lawmakers: "how can we exert control over what people do with, and to, their own bodies?" Whether it's scarification, bedroom activities, or whatever else.... why do they care so much? How is this even slightly a pressing public issue?

They are authoritarians. They just like telling people what to do. Period. What's even more pathetic are their supporters, who can't cope with life on earth unless someone is telling them what to do.

James!:Looks like they're only prohibiting sub-dermal implants. The rest of the bill looks to be pretty reasonable.

I certainly believe that body modification businesses should be inspected and subject to health regulations. There are and should be standards. For example: If there is no autoclave, I won't patronize that business and I will tell others to avoid it.

So THIS is what they mean by "get government off of small businesses' backs". Hmm. Interesting. I don't think I ever want to be around one of these folks and have them declare that they have zero interest in buggering me dry, because I'll be biting a pillow within seconds.

You know better than that. Of course Arkansas still has lots of problems. Passing legislation to address difficult problems is hard work. Passing shiat that addresses nothing, kills small businesses and jobs is easy and looks good for the Bible thumpers.

Alright, so here's the thing. This article is sourcing the original version of the bill. The version that passed was filled with amendments that were put in place with the help of body modification professionals. A friend of mine worked with government and had this to say after the bill passed:

Friends in Arkansas.. the legislation we worked on goes into place today. What this means for you:

Piercing guns are now illegal (class A misdemeanor per offense) to use on any part of the body other than the earlobe. This includes the cartilage of the ear, and yes that means Walmart, Claire's, etc are NOT permitted to pierce the cartilage of the ear.

It is illegal to sell piercing and tattoo supplies to the public. This means places like tattoo shopping marts, pawn shops, etc are committing a class A misdemeanor per sale they make.

All body art is limited to 16 year of age and up. It is illegal to perform any body piercing, tattoo, etc on a person under 16 with the exception of piercing the lobe of the ear.

Studios MUST use jewelry that meets ASTM requirements as implant grade and have Mill Test Certificates to prove it or jewelry as listed by the Health Department as acceptable for initial piercing (certain types of gold, niobium, glass, etc). This means if you go to a studio that uses externally threaded jewelry, they are very likely using jewelry which is banned.

The Department of Health has listed these as violations which can result in closing of the studio. If you are aware of violations occurring, please do your part and report it to the Department of Health in Little Rock. Violations of the first three may be reported to your local law enforcement as they are punishable as a class A misdemeanor or higher offense. Help us make local and state agencies realize that we will not let the hard work it took to get these laws in place go unenforced. Make the state do their job.

TLDR: The linked article is a fluff fear-mongering piece that was written without actually reading the final bill. There is NO ban on tattooing, scarification, branding or piercing.

First of all, if you're looking at the tattoo epidemic as a way to express your individualism, then it is obvious to me that you don't know the meaning of the word. How can you truly show any type of individualism by taking part in a movement that encompasses thousands, if not millions, of people? At this point, no matter how hard you try, you cannot get a tattoo that someone doesn't already have. The idea that somehow scarring your flesh with some insipid symbol or demonic imagery will say to people you're a free thinker is truly misguided. The issue lies with your own personal self-esteem.

If you're a person who feels a desire to tattoo himself, you're one of two types of people. The first group is drawn to tattooing because of a lack of self-respect and a love for themselves and for who they are, which causes these feelings to manifest. "If I had a cool tattoo, maybe then girls will notice me." Or "If I get a tattoo, guys will think I'm sexy." Once the root of the action is realized as being that of a desperate ploy for attention due to not appreciating themselves for who they are, and that they are placing that needed feeling of acceptance in the hands of others, the true motivations become clear.

Another personality type is the person who thinks way too much of themselves. The idea that someone may not notice them is unacceptable. They're awesome. A demi-god among us. This sad delusional state almost always manifests in over adornment. Be it tattoos, gold jewelry or outlandish silly outfits. However, all of this is just the wrapping to a package of arrogance, self-centeredness and an inflating feeling of self-importance commonly known as being a douchbag.

Was out and about today shopping, it was warm/hot and sunny, so the women were showing lots of skin. It struck me as to how I found women with no visable tattoos, (or little ones on an ankle or shoulder blade) to be so much more attractive, fashionable, not fat, pleasent to look at and admire. Than the ones with covering tats. The ones with covering tats tended to be just kinda gross looking in general, and then they addd tats. I could never be a tattoo artist with having to squeeze so much disgusting blubber to put a kids birthdate and pic on some fat chicks arm.

skinink:First of all, if you're looking at the tattoo epidemic as a way to express your individualism, then it is obvious to me that you don't know the meaning of the word. How can you truly show any type of individualism by taking part in a movement that encompasses thousands, if not millions, of people? At this point, no matter how hard you try, you cannot get a tattoo that someone doesn't already have. The idea that somehow scarring your flesh with some insipid symbol or demonic imagery will say to people you're a free thinker is truly misguided. The issue lies with your own personal self-esteem.

If you're a person who feels a desire to tattoo himself, you're one of two types of people. The first group is drawn to tattooing because of a lack of self-respect and a love for themselves and for who they are, which causes these feelings to manifest. "If I had a cool tattoo, maybe then girls will notice me." Or "If I get a tattoo, guys will think I'm sexy." Once the root of the action is realized as being that of a desperate ploy for attention due to not appreciating themselves for who they are, and that they are placing that needed feeling of acceptance in the hands of others, the true motivations become clear.

Another personality type is the person who thinks way too much of themselves. The idea that someone may not notice them is unacceptable. They're awesome. A demi-god among us. This sad delusional state almost always manifests in over adornment. Be it tattoos, gold jewelry or outlandish silly outfits. However, all of this is just the wrapping to a package of arrogance, self-centeredness and an inflating feeling of self-importance commonly known as being a douchbag.

skinink:First of all, if you're looking at the tattoo epidemic as a way to express your individualism, then it is obvious to me that you don't know the meaning of the word. How can you truly show any type of individualism by taking part in a movement that encompasses thousands, if not millions, of people? At this point, no matter how hard you try, you cannot get a tattoo that someone doesn't already have. The idea that somehow scarring your flesh with some insipid symbol or demonic imagery will say to people you're a free thinker is truly misguided. The issue lies with your own personal self-esteem.

If you're a person who feels a desire to tattoo himself, you're one of two types of people. The first group is drawn to tattooing because of a lack of self-respect and a love for themselves and for who they are, which causes these feelings to manifest. "If I had a cool tattoo, maybe then girls will notice me." Or "If I get a tattoo, guys will think I'm sexy." Once the root of the action is realized as being that of a desperate ploy for attention due to not appreciating themselves for who they are, and that they are placing that needed feeling of acceptance in the hands of others, the true motivations become clear.

Another personality type is the person who thinks way too much of themselves. The idea that someone may not notice them is unacceptable. They're awesome. A demi-god among us. This sad delusional state almost always manifests in over adornment. Be it tattoos, gold jewelry or outlandish silly outfits. However, all of this is just the wrapping to a package of arrogance, self-centeredness and an inflating feeling of self-importance commonly known as being a douchbag.

skinink:First of all, if you're looking at the tattoo epidemic as a way to express your individualism, then it is obvious to me that you don't know the meaning of the word. How can you truly show any type of individualism by taking part in a movement that encompasses thousands, if not millions, of people? At this point, no matter how hard you try, you cannot get a tattoo that someone doesn't already have. The idea that somehow scarring your flesh with some insipid symbol or demonic imagery will say to people you're a free thinker is truly misguided. The issue lies with your own personal self-esteem.

If you're a person who feels a desire to tattoo himself, you're one of two types of people. The first group is drawn to tattooing because of a lack of self-respect and a love for themselves and for who they are, which causes these feelings to manifest. "If I had a cool tattoo, maybe then girls will notice me." Or "If I get a tattoo, guys will think I'm sexy." Once the root of the action is realized as being that of a desperate ploy for attention due to not appreciating themselves for who they are, and that they are placing that needed feeling of acceptance in the hands of others, the true motivations become clear.

Another personality type is the person who thinks way too much of themselves. The idea that someone may not notice them is unacceptable. They're awesome. A demi-god among us. This sad delusional state almost always manifests in over adornment. Be it tattoos, gold jewelry or outlandish silly outfits. However, all of this is just the wrapping to a package of arrogance, self-centeredness and an inflating feeling of self-importance commonly known as being a douchbag.

skinink:First of all, if you're looking at the tattoo epidemic as a way to express your individualism, then it is obvious to me that you don't know the meaning of the word. How can you truly show any type of individualism by taking part in a movement that encompasses thousands, if not millions, of people? At this point, no matter how hard you try, you cannot get a tattoo that someone doesn't already have. The idea that somehow scarring your flesh with some insipid symbol or demonic imagery will say to people you're a free thinker is truly misguided. The issue lies with your own personal self-esteem.

If you're a person who feels a desire to tattoo himself, you're one of two types of people. The first group is drawn to tattooing because of a lack of self-respect and a love for themselves and for who they are, which causes these feelings to manifest. "If I had a cool tattoo, maybe then girls will notice me." Or "If I get a tattoo, guys will think I'm sexy." Once the root of the action is realized as being that of a desperate ploy for attention due to not appreciating themselves for who they are, and that they are placing that needed feeling of acceptance in the hands of others, the true motivations become clear.

Another personality type is the person who thinks way too much of themselves. The idea that someone may not notice them is unacceptable. They're awesome. A demi-god among us. This sad delusional state almost always manifests in over adornment. Be it tattoos, gold jewelry or outlandish silly outfits. However, all of this is just the wrapping to a package of arrogance, self-centeredness and an inflating feeling of self-importance commonly known as being a douchbag.

I've worked in a tattoo shop and trust me, most of them don't put that much thought into it. 95% of our clientel got one on a whim just because they were on vacation and had a few bucks to blow.

8Fingers:Was out and about today shopping, it was warm/hot and sunny, so the women were showing lots of skin. It struck me as to how I found women with no visable tattoos, (or little ones on an ankle or shoulder blade) to be so much more attractive, fashionable, not fat, pleasent to look at and admire. Than the ones with covering tats. The ones with covering tats tended to be just kinda gross looking in general, and then they addd tats. I could never be a tattoo artist with having to squeeze so much disgusting blubber to put a kids birthdate and pic on some fat chicks arm.

What is the reasoning for the ban?Is it just the scarification and the dermal implants?Is the '5 years' thing a way of getting rid of all tattoo and piercing artists eventually, because they can only keep working if they've been doing it for 5 years, or is it 5 years to own a shop?

There's more. Your Blog Sucks, it really does.

What it REALLY seems like is that they want to regulate the industry better, which I'm fine with. You know why? Licensed doctors usually won't do this shiat, so you have Joe Sixpack, with no medical training doing these procedures. Remember the guy who had the threaded spikes in his skull, hit the scene around 2000 or so? Those threaded inserts were drilled into his skull by a local tattoo shop guy, because no doctor would touch him. It's the same today. I have no problem with some regulations, something expanding on already exiting rules about clean equipment, auto-claving needles, etc.

That said, I don't care what someone decides to go through, if they want a trans dermal implant or a big-ass scar, fine, let them get it. As long as it's done safely, I think it's their right.

FTA: market-anarchists believe state regulation is just as inexcusable, especially in this situation. As long as the relationship between tattoo and piercing services are voluntary to the consumer, free marketers see no problem with the transaction. And for little guy businesses, whether it's young adults starting a shop, applying for licenses and spending money you don't have is more than a hassle.

skinink:First of all, if you're looking at the tattoo epidemic as a way to express your individualism, then it is obvious to me that you don't know the meaning of the word. How can you truly show any type of individualism by taking part in a movement that encompasses thousands, if not millions, of people? At this point, no matter how hard you try, you cannot get a tattoo that someone doesn't already have. The idea that somehow scarring your flesh with some insipid symbol or demonic imagery will say to people you're a free thinker is truly misguided. The issue lies with your own personal self-esteem.

If you're a person who feels a desire to tattoo himself, you're one of two types of people. The first group is drawn to tattooing because of a lack of self-respect and a love for themselves and for who they are, which causes these feelings to manifest. "If I had a cool tattoo, maybe then girls will notice me." Or "If I get a tattoo, guys will think I'm sexy." Once the root of the action is realized as being that of a desperate ploy for attention due to not appreciating themselves for who they are, and that they are placing that needed feeling of acceptance in the hands of others, the true motivations become clear.

Another personality type is the person who thinks way too much of themselves. The idea that someone may not notice them is unacceptable. They're awesome. A demi-god among us. This sad delusional state almost always manifests in over adornment. Be it tattoos, gold jewelry or outlandish silly outfits. However, all of this is just the wrapping to a package of arrogance, self-centeredness and an inflating feeling of self-importance commonly known as being a douchbag.

It's always struck me as funny that the lady who washes hair and runs a pair of scissors or clippers through hair has to be licensed and periodically retested by the state, yet the guy down at Uncle Bob's Tattoo, Tire and Taco Shop can go jabbing people with needles or poking holes in a body with nothing more than a wink and a smile from any regulatory agency.